To deter Iran and its proxies, Washington sends a nuclear submarine and an aircraft carrier to the Middle East

The Pentagon revealed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the dispatch of a guided-missile submarine to the Middle East, and the acceleration of the arrival of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region, as part of US efforts to deter Iran and its proxies amid escalating regional tensions.

According to a statement issued by Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder on Sunday evening, Austin confirmed to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant, during a phone call, his country's commitment to taking "every possible step" to defend Israel.

Austin referred to "enhancing the posture and capabilities of the US military force throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions."

In furtherance of this commitment, the US Secretary of Defense has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transition to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Ryder said.

In addition, Austin ordered the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia ( SSGN 729 ) to head to the CENTCOM area as well.

Defense Secretary Austin has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transition to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities provided by the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

Additionally, the Secretary of Defense ordered the USS… pic.twitter.com/mnByBXDsEd

— US Central Command (@CENTCOMArabic) August 12, 2024

CNN quoted the US Navy as saying that "the nuclear-powered submarine USS Georgia, armed with cruise missiles, has been operating in the Mediterranean Sea in recent days, having just completed training near Italy."

The two ministers also discussed "Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip, and efforts to deter aggression by Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other pro-Iranian groups across the region."

The statement added that "the two sides also discussed the importance of reducing harm to civilians, progress towards achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages."

Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced that the United States would deploy additional military assets to the Middle East ahead of potential retaliation by Iran against Israel.

The strengthening of American capabilities in the Middle East comes at a time when Israel is anticipating retaliatory responses from Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas for the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, and prominent party leader Fouad Shukr in Beirut the day before.

With American support, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving nearly 132,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, amid massive destruction and deadly famine.

In contempt of the international community, Tel Aviv continues the war, ignoring the UN Security Council resolution to stop it immediately, and the International Court of Justice’s orders to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and to improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Source: Anadolu Agency